On November 12, 2024, the French National Assembly rejected the 2025 budget bill during its first reading, highlighting significant opposition and internal divisions within the ruling coalition.

Following this rejection, deputies will vote on the revenue section of the budget, which has undergone considerable changes due to opposition influence.

If the revenue part is approved, the Assembly will proceed to the expenditure section, with a deadline of November 21 to review approximately 1,500 amendments before sending the text to the Senate.

The Senate has also proposed reducing funding for the state medical aid program by 200 million euros, reflecting ongoing scrutiny from both right and far-right factions.

The National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, has expressed strong opposition to the government's budget choices, focusing on protecting purchasing power and pensions.

Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin criticized the revised budget as an 'overdose fiscale,' amounting to 35 billion euros, which he claimed would impact all citizens.

Senator Elisabeth Doineau emphasized the Senate's role in making difficult yet necessary decisions, acknowledging the challenging majority situation in the National Assembly.

Despite the government's condemnation of excessive amendments, the absence of government deputies during the proceedings allowed opposition voices to gain traction.

Internal divisions were evident within the centrist coalition, as the MoDem party voted to make a tax on high incomes permanent, opposing the government's plans, while the Horizons group proposed cuts to research tax credits.

The outcome of the upcoming vote on the revenue section remains uncertain, as members of the governing bloc may oppose the changes made by the left and National Rally, potentially leading to a reversion to the original budget in the Senate.

A joint committee of deputies and senators will later reconcile the two chambers' versions of the budget, underscoring the complexities of the legislative process.

The Senate is advocating for local authorities, which face at least five billion euros in budget cuts, emphasizing their importance as drivers of economic growth.